Mechanical toy



Jan. 13. 1925 1,523,244

B. F. BAlN MECHANICAL TOY Filed Feb. 19, 1924 2 sheets-sheet 1 V mun-v B. F. BAIN MECHANICAL TOY Filed Feb. 19 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'NVENTOR I Patented Jan. 13, 1925.

STATEfi BENJAMIN F. BAIN, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

MECHANICAL TOY.

Application filed February 19, 1924.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. BAIN, a citizen of the United States, and residing in the city of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented or discovered the new, useful, and Improved Mechanical Toy, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists in a new and improved mechanical toy. Generally speaking my invention comprises a track having elevated ends, and a car or other travelling element which is caused to travel back and forth thereon.

One end of the track is preferably higher than the other end thereof so as to provide sufficient momentum to properly carry the car or other travelling element to the other end of the track, and intermediate of the ends the track is provided with a powerdriven impeller which engages the car and imparts sufficient momentum thereto to cause it to return to the higher end. For the impelling function I show a power-driven oscillating member or track section which is released from its receptive position when the car enters it and which by its oscillation drives the car up to the higher end.

In the preferred embodiment of the principles of my invention which is shown in the drawings, I provide a switch-back track with elevated ends, one leg of the double track providing for the gravity travel of the car from one elevated end of the track to the other, as for instance from the higher to the lower elevated end, while the other leg of the track is used for the return of the car and has interposed therein a power-driven impeller which receives the car and then, by means of an oscillation movement, imparts to the car sufficient momentum to carry it to the first named end, and which impeller then returns and comes to rest in its receptive position. Means are provided at the track ends for the automatic switching of the car from one leg of the track to the other.

Other novel features of construction and also of arrangement of parts will appear from the following description.

In the accompanying drawings which are however merely intended to illustrate a practical embodiment of the principles of my invention without limiting the scope thereof to the construction shown, Fig. l is a side elevation of the toy with the impeller shown in its receptive position; Fi 2 is a Serial No. 693,776.

plan View of the same; Fig. 3 is a broken side elevation on enlarged scale showing the impeller in its discharging position, and Fig. l is a similar view, but in reverse to Fig. 3, showing the impeller in its receptive position.

The following is a detailed description of the drawings.

A represents the base of the flatly. w ich is shown as a rectangular frame having end portions 1, and which is extensibl as by having the side members 2 of one end slidable in sleeves 2 secured to the side members 2 of the other end portion of the frame. Thus the base may be contracted in length for packing.

3 represents a horizontal floor spanning the intermediate portion of the base.

B and C represent the two opposed traclc end members which are conveniently stamped from sheet metal. i

The track-end B, the right end in Figs. 1 and 2, is preferably the higher of the two track-ends, and both of said track-ends are inclined upwardly and outwardly, as shown. For the purpose of supporting the trackends in position I show vertical brackets l secured to the ends 1 of the base A, and whose upper ends are flanged at the proper angles to support the track-ends from beneath, screw bolts 4 being used to detachably secure the parts together.

The track-ends are composed of an outer single track portion or spur, while their inner ends are bifurcated to provide two tracks. Thus the track-end B comprises a spur 5 and connected to the inner end thereof the two branch tracks 6 and T, the branch 6 being alined with the spur 5, while the branch 7 curves into the same. The floor of the branch 7 is continuous with that of the spur 5, while the floor of the spur 5 is below the level of that of the branch 6 at the junction, thus forming a shoulder or jumpoff 8 which acts as a switch to direct'a car traveling down the spur 5 into the branch 7. The outer end of the spur 5 is provided with a guard or bumper 9, preferably formed by partially cutting out a tongue of metal from the floor and then bending it up vertically. The sides of the spurs and branches are provided with the vertical retaining flanges 10 to prevent derailment.

The track end C is similar to the track-end B, comprising the outer. singletrack spur 1i and the two branches l2 and 13 connecting to loo l'ilS matically switches a car running down the spur 11 into the branch 13.

the ends of the branches 7 and 12,,as indi- As an tlClClltlOIlat taining flanges 10.

.of the spur at a higher level, thus forming the shoulder or jump-off 14 which auto- The outer end of the spur 11 is provided with a bumper 9 and the sides of the spur and the branches are guarded by theflanges '10, as in the case of the track end Bl Theopposed ends of the branches 7 and 12 are connected by the track element D which is preferably detachable so that the toy may be disassembled for packing.

The track element D is single-tracked and is stamped from sheet metal with side re It may be connected up in place in any convenient manner, as for instance by telescopic engagement 'with cated in the drawings.

. connection, atongue of metal 15 maybe cut from the floor of the branch 7 and bent torwardly to engag'e the floor of the element D from beneath. At the-other end of the element I)v a similar tongue 16 may be cut from its floor and bent forwardly to engage lhe floor of the branch 12 from beneath.

.The track element D is also supported by a vertical bracket 17 extending up from the floor 3 andhaving its upper end notched to receive the element.

, It is evident that it a car, such as the toy automobile E be. placed on the spur 5 ctthe track-end B, it will switch onto and run -along the branch 7, traverse the element D and travel up the branch 12, and enter the spur 11 of the track-end C, provided the car has sufiicient momentum, which momentum in the embodiment shown is provided by the superior elevation of the track-end B. It is also evident that when the car E strikes the bumper 9 at the'outer end of the spur 11, its travel will be reversed. and it will start back and be switched into the branch It is thus necessary to, provide means whereby the car may be caused to return to the track end B, traveling up the branch 6 to the stem 5. This is accomplished by means of the impeller which consists in an oscillating track-element F, one of whose ends, when the impeller is in its receptive position, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 1, is in registration wlth the end of the branch 13, and which, when the car runs oit the branch 13 onto the impeller, oscillates into its discharge position, shown in Fig. 3, with its other end registering with the end of the branch ,6, whereupon. it discharges the car with sutlicient momentum to cause it to travel up the branch 6 into the spur 5 where its travel is reversed, causing the car to again pass down the branch 7.

The track element F is also stamped of sheet metal havingside retaining flanges 10. The floor oi the track is not in the same plane but is angular as shown, providing at one end a short receiving track 18 which is insubstantial registry but slightly-below the end of the branch 13, when the member F is in its receptive position, the end of the element I being provided with a. vertical bumper or flange 19 to prevent the car accidentally' dropping off. Next to the/receiving track 13 is an intermediate track 20 and at theotherend of the element is the discharge track 21 which, when the element F is in its discharge position, registers with and preferably overlaps from above the end of the branch 6. 7

At approximately the juncture of the portions 20 and 21 the element F is pivotally mounted for oscillation. Thus at either side is a depending bracket 22, and 23 is a pivotshai't extending through alined holes in said brackets and also in alined holes in the twin stands 24. extending upwardly from the floor 3. The end 21 is provided with a weight 25 attached to its underside to balance the other and longer of the element F.

A, by means of the latch G which extends up through a longitudinal slot 27 in. the track 20 with its notch engaging the front end of said slot so as-to be struck and disengaged by the car when it runs on the impeller 'F from branch 13. The latch G is angular and ispivoted at its angle between the pierced cars 28 extending up from the floor 3. The lower leg 29 of the latch extends t'orwardly in a substantially horizon tal direction and acts as an. overbalance to automaticallyengage the latch with the impeller when the latter returns to its receptive position. The upper end'of the latch is in the path of the car entering the impeller F from the branch 13 and is pushed forwardly and disengaged by the car, thus unlocking the impeller... 29 represent spaced guides for the latch Gr.

'The impeller, after being unlocked is power-oscillated from its receptive position into its discharge position, and immediately returned to its receptive position and held locked therein until again released by the car on its next trip.

The impeller is oscillated by means of a crank 30 on the driving shaft 31 of the iii.)

spring motor H mounted on the floor 3, the wrist pin of said crank engaging a slot 32 in a web plate 33 depending from the member F. The slot 32 is of the contour shown in Figs. 3 and 4 so that the crank, revolving clockwise in Fig. 3 and counterclockwise in Fig. at will return the impeller at an accelera-ted speed, so as to insure its location in its receptive position before the return of the car.

The operation of my improved toy is as follows:

The toy automobile E, or other travelling element is placed on the spur 5 of the trackend B and travels by gravity down the branch 7, the connecting track D and up the branch 12 and the stem 11 to the bumper. The direction of travel is then reversed and the car runs down the stem 11 and the branch 13 and is deposited on the receiving track 19 and, by striking the latch Gr, unlocks the impeller. The motor then swings the impeller from its receiving position into its discharge position causing the car to run down the steep intermediate track portion 20 and off the discharge portion 21 with sufficient momentum to drive the car up the branch 6 and spur 5 against the bumper which reverses the travel of the car and returns it down the spur 5 and the branch 7, as above described. The impeller F, after discharging the car, is automatically returned and locked in its, receptive position, ready for the neXt arrival thereon of the car.

It is evident that if the car or other travelling element were permitted to run along the impeller during its oscillation from its receptive to its discharge position, it would not acquire sufficient momentum to assure its ascent of the track end B and its proper re turn down the branch 7. Therefore, I provide means whereby the car or other travelling element, during the oscillation of the impeller, is held against movement at or adjacent to the receptive end of the impeller until the latter is approaching its discharge position; whereupon the car or other travelling element is released and discharged with the necessary momentum.

Thus, where the travelling element is a car, I may provide slots 34 in the floor of the portion 18 of the impeller, which slots are engaged by the front wheels of the car after the car has struck and released the latch G. These slots are of sufficient length to hold the wheels until the impeller is approaching its discharge position, when the angle of the portion 18 is sufficient to release the car from the slots, with. the result that the car is projected onto the track end B with the necessary momentum. The angular character of the floor of the impeller F assists in this action, as the portion 18 which assumes the steepest angle serves to release the car, while the portion 20 forms a steep incline for gathering momentum and theportion 21 provides the necessary communication with the branch 6 of the track-end B.

Thus a continuous travel of the car is maintained until the stored power of the motor is dissipated. It is evident that an electric motor or any other suitable source of power may be substituted for the spring motor.

Although for the purpose of fully disclosing the principles of my invention, I have described in detail the embodiment thereof which is shown in the drawings, I do not wish to limit myself thereby, but claim broadly 1. In a mechanical toy, the combination with a travelling element of a track for said element having elevated ends, and an impeller interposed in said track for imparting momentum to said element sufficient to cause it to maintain a continuous travel from end to end of said track.

2. In a mechanical toy, the combination with a travelling element of a track for said element having elevated ends, and a powerdriven impeller interposed in said track whereby sufiicient momentum is imparted to the element to cause it to maintain a continuous travel from end to end of the track.

3. In a mechanical toy, the combination with a travelling element of a track for said element having elevated ends, one end being higher than the other end whereby the element will travel from the higher end to the lower end, and a power-driven impeller to impart sufficient momentum to the element to cause the element to travel back to the high end.

4. In a mechanical toy, the combination with a travelling element of a track for said element having elevated ends, one of said ends being higher than the other whereby said element will travel from the high end to the low end, and a powendriven impeller interposed in said track and adapted to impart suiiicient momentum to said element to cause it to return to the high end.

5. In a mechanical toy, the combination with a travelling element of atrack for said element having elevated single track ends and a double track intermediate portion, a power-driven impeller interposed in one of said intermediate tracks, and means at the track ends for automatically switching the element.

6. In a mechanical toy, the combination with a travelling element of a track for said element provided with elevated single track ends and a double track intermediate portion, automatic switching means at the ends of the double track portion, and a power driven impeller interposed in the path of the element in one of the intermediate tracks for imparting momentum to the element.

7. In a mechanical toy, the combination Ill) lift) 1.: Witha travellingelement-of:a: track for; said:- 1; element provided 1 with elevated zr fll gler track ends and a doubletrackintermediate: porfromi the ;high,end along one of the nten,

I0 and 4a power-drivein impeller in the second mediate tracks to the low end-and. be

switched to: themother intermediatetrack,

'z-interniediate track foincatusing the element Q38. In a mechanical toy; the combination with a travelling element of aitr ack 01, said element-provided with elevatechsingle tracln :te-nds and a doubletrack' intermediate polar; tion, means at the-.ends to switch theielernent; -i from one track to the other; one of; said track 20 ,cnds being higher than the oth-er wherebyw; the element will run by gravity from the,

totravelbaek to th-eyzhigh end.

high end along one oh the; intermediate -1tracks to the low end and be switched to.- the .other intermediate trackaand a -powen 1 :oscillated impeller-interposed in the= sec0ndz -.=wintermediate trade and adapted to; engage,

i theielement and impart thereto :snilieient mom inentum to return it to the high end. a:

9. In :a 1 mechanical toy,- thecombination 'witha travelling elementota track for said welernent provided with elevated single-track -ends and a donbletrack.intermediate pore tion, means at the ends to switch the-element from; oneutraclg to the-other, one-of saidtraek the; cat will" ru n-gravity, frointhe ,high

end along one :of the intenmediate tracks to the low-jend; and be i switched jtO" the other intemnediate track, Q an :hnpelleia interposed in the second ntermediate track, n1eans whereby said impeller ;is,,nor1nally;f 1naintained at rest in its recepti vefposition, and means whereby when the element engages said in'qaeller thee-latter is goscillated to propel the element toward the high end and is their retnrned 1 to. its; -$1 QCQPti V-B position.

, 1 1. n heai l t iiew mh ew stru cture fora; travelling element, the combination of, an extensiblezbase a pair of. track ends detachably mounted on the ends-of said base, and a; connecting track-section; adapted to be detachably monnted in place to connect sa id track ends when the base is; extended.

11. In ainechani cal toy-comprising a track structure for-a travelling elenient thecombination of. an ,ex tensible' base, a rpair of switch-backtrack; ends mounted on said base, a traoksection adapted' to glee; interposed betweensaidtrack-rends when the b e i 8X- tended to, complete one: oi the intermediate tracks, 1 and nil v-1 ')0W erdriven,gimpeller :interposed between the track: ends to complete the ether 'interinediatei track.

Signedat Pittsbnrgh; Pau, this 5th; day of Febrnary,-1924. r

:vfuBENJAh IIN'F. BAIN. 

